Jim Thorpe ready to get defensive about its play

(TOM HOUSENICK, THE MORNING…)

August 24, 2013

3 TIDBITS ON THE OLYMPIANS

Big play-potential

Coach Mark Rosenberger is hoping his club's big plays offensively aren't negated by the negative big plays on both sides of the ball. The Olympians threw five interceptions in a 2012 Week 1 loss to eventual Anthracite Football League champion Tamaqua and went on to allow big plays with a defense that gave up 38.5 points per game. If the big mistakes decrease, so too will the points allowed per game. And that will lead to more wins than two in the last 21 games.

"I think the kids are tired of losing," coach Mark Rosenberger said. "You only get beat down and kicked around so long before you start to kick back.

"I think it's time for the kids to start doing that."

Heart and soul

If there is going to be an emotional leader in 2013, look to Deryk Gibbon as the leading candidate. The 5-foot-5, 185-pound senior is all guts as a two-way lineman.

"He's got heart the size of anyone I've ever seen," Rosenberger said. "He's not afraid to hit anybody. With a kid on the field with that kind of passion, it feeds off him to other kids."

Remaining positive

Rosenberger said he's been able to stay positive during difficult 2011-12 seasons because his players have been so young and undersized. However, they are older and experienced for 2013. So, the time I snow to return to the ways that saw Rosenberger rack up a 99-44 record in his first 13 years.

"The results of going through what we did the last two years hopefully will show up on the scoreboard this year," he said.

The Olympians return eight starters on each side of the ball and appear to have a quality first-year starting quarterback in Saunders. If the offense can limit the turnovers and the defense gets a few three-and-outs each game, it should lead to better success.

"We don't want to put our defense out there with their backs already against the wall," Rosenberger said in reference to the turnovers. "And Saunders is a kid who wants the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter."

Experience is the one thing that Saunders needs. It will allow him to make better decisions on his rollout reads when he can either run or pass.

"In our opener last year against Tamaqua, we threw five interceptions. We can't afford to make those mistakes," Rosenberger said.

Jim Thorpe will get an early gauge on its progress. It opens at Tamaqua, with preseason No. 2 North Schuylkill waiting in Week 3.

The Olympians also can help their cause defensively by being more consistent offensively.